Beginning Tuba Mouthpieces

[Joe Baker]

I'm tempted to first ask "what kind of tuba", but I think for this age the answer is simply "the smallest tuba MP you can find".
______________________________
Joe Baker, thinking that's maybe a Bach 25

[Dave Roberts]

Bach 18

[tubarepair]

If Conn-Selmer-LeBlanc-Buick still make the 30E or 32E, I would consider those. Daryl

[KevinBock]

Conn Helleberg, and it'll last quite awhile.

[JB]

For those who have suggestd Bach 18 and Helleberg, would you not find these to be a little large for fifth graders?

My first reaction, given the age and size of these folks, would be to go small (as others have posted in their replies).

Just curious.

Thanks.

[Captain Sousie]

Kelly 18 or maybe a 24AW. They are a good size, a cheap price, and they are more durable for a young player than a brass one on which the shank will be horribly dented the first day. If you are set on a metal one, buy Faxx mouthpieces. Finally, from experience, never start them on a Helleberg, Conn or otherwise. They will use too much pressure and the sharp rim might cause injury, it nearly did in me. It is also too big for a beginner.

Sousie

[hurricane_harry]

the new woodwindbrasswind generic helleberg AKA HB version. only 40 bucks!

[Scott Sutherland]

For those who have suggestd Bach 18 and Helleberg, would you not find these to be a little large for fifth graders?

Generally, I would agree that these mouthpieces are too big for young beginners. I prefer more shallow pieces for my beginners, including the Marc. N4.

I do know of an excellent middle school band director who has had much success starting his tuba students with a Schilke Helleberg, which seems to be smaller than the Conn with a more comfortable rim.

[Tubaryan12]

Kelly 18 or maybe a 24AW. They are a good size, a cheap price, and they are more durable for a young player than a brass one on which the shank will be horribly dented the first day. If you are set on a metal one, buy Faxx mouthpieces. Finally, from experience, never start them on a Helleberg, Conn or otherwise. They will use too much pressure and the sharp rim might cause injury, it nearly did in me. It is also too big for a beginner.

Ditto but I would substitute the kelly 25 for the 18

[ThomasDodd]

So what do YOU suggest for 5th grade beginning tuba players?

6 1/2 AL

I don't think any tuba mouthpiece is small enough for a 5th grader. At least not any I've seen. The 6 1/2 fit's my 10 year old, proportionately the same as h helleberg fit's me.

[Leland]

Ya know, there's one thing to be said for having them start on a mouthpiece that's designed for the instrument.

BUT, might that increase the possibility of bad embochure habits later? That is, would they get used to a buzz that doesn't really fit the mouthpiece, so they have to compensate?

I think that tubas are so large by nature that a person would have to "grow into it" rather than start on it right away. It would be like giving 200 cm skis to a 5th grader when they would be better off with less than half that length.

[Bill Troiano]

I've had good success over the years with either the Bach 25 or 22. I think they even make a smaller mouthpiece now, but I haven't seen it. The smaller the mouthpiece the better. It's more in proportion to the young student's face. I think that even for adults or grown players, it's easier to control a smaller mouthpiece than a larger one.

[Tabor]

I'd go with the smallest Kelly mouthpiece. It is much less likely to become something that could scratch the mouth when some drummers throw it across the room at a trumpeter who smashes bugs with it on asphalt and/or concrete. It is also less likely to be used as a weapon.

I started on a barely working sousaphone without a bell and the big old Conn 2 mouthpiece. After listening to that for a short time, my father bought me a small yamaha Eb or F tuba mouthpiece AND a Conn Helleberg. They both lasted me quite a long time.

-T

[ken k]

The problem with starting youngsters out on a 25 or a Helleberg 7B is that many times they have trouble getting the low Bb out and most method books start in the low register. So I keep an 18 handy just in case that happens. If the kid can get a good low Bb stick with the smaller mouthpiece, but if they struggle to get the low notes, try the bigger piece.

ken k

[TubaRay]

I started playing tuba when I entered the sixth grade. At that time, I was probably about the size of an average fourth grader. My first mouthpiece was a Bach 22. I'm sure it was much larger on my face than any mouthpiece I use now. I didn't know any better at the time. My theory is that over time I simply adjusted, ever so gradually, to the changes in my size. It worked out fine for me.

These days I usually start beginners on a Bach 18. If they are unusually small, I go with a Bach 22 or Bach 25. If one goes any smaller, they probably should just start on a baritone horn or euph.

I am certain this is an area where there are considerable different opinions. I can respect that. This just happens to be mine.

[daktx2]

that early, why not just start on baritone?

[Kevin Hendrick]

If Conn-Selmer-LeBlanc-Buick still make the 30E or 32E, I would consider those. Daryl

I purchased a 30E last August as an experiment, to see if it would brighten my tone and help my upper range (Sear-Cerveny 601 CC) -- it did both. The low range (esp. pedals) are not as strong, but still usable. As far as I know, both the 30E and 32E are still available. Hope this helps!

[Captain Sousie]

I personally wouldn't use a 30E for beginners. Kids that age have never in my experience had the ability to get below the F without serious talent and tons of work on a mouthpiece that small. If you must start them out on a small mouthpiece, don't go smaller then a 25.

IMHO

Sousie

[jaredsan]

Yamaha 67 is a good one for students.

[Tom Holtz]

I don't think any tuba mouthpiece is small enough for a 5th grader. At least not any I've seen. The 6 1/2 fit's my 10 year old, proportionately the same as h helleberg fit's me.

I started on trombone in 5th grade, and that mouthpiece seemed big to me then. I didn't upgrade until the end of junior high.